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I need to replace an external kitchen door and windows. The windows will be white framed uPVC to match the rest of the house but I'm not sure about the door.
I like the idea of timber as I don't like the look of uPVC doors but are they a bit useless for thermal efficiency? but as about 50% of the door will be double-glazed, is this less of an issue? Th obvious alternative is a composite door but they're a bit more expensive.
uPVC is the obvious compromise between cost and performance, but I don't like them but TBH its only s door. I could get a brown one which may be better than white.
So is timber a none-starter (hardwood appears comparable to composite in terms of cost)or is it worth looking at?
Whats the best approach for the composite door option? Bargain hard and then get my trusted builder to fit it?
Composite doors look much better than PVC but are not as efficient so you can either have a smart looking door that may not be as draught proof or an ugly PVC door that will one day in years to come, pay for itself
So what does the composite get me over a well fitted timber door, apart from lack of maintenance?
UPVC will add value as folks like the lazy no maintainance option.
Id rather have a wooden door my self. - but im not adverse to a coat of preservative every 2/3 years - and thats what i tell the folks who come round trying to sell me UPVC windows ~:D
Just done the same when we had our kitchen done, went for white UPVC to match the windows, get just about the plainest one possible with clear glazing and it looks ok. It's on the corner of the house that catches the worst of the weather so got an outwards opening one so that the wind pushes it down on the seal. Quite pleased with it, got a timber panelled 1930s front door with stained glass panel to even it out though, horribly inefficient but looks smashing!
Thinking about it the door will have a side window, so think that unless I go for a timber framed window there then it may be best to gofor a brown uPVC door in a white frame.
Our back door is hardwood, which is great as it's flippin tough (I fitted the locks and that was tough work) and needs minimal maintenance. I re-stain it every few years.
"Thinking about it the door will have a side window, so think that unless I go for a timber framed window there then it may be best to gofor a brown uPVC door in a white frame."
this will look awful.
if you have white pvc windows your half way to hell anyway might as well just get a white door too
Why do you think it will look awful? Its only like having a treated timber door in a painted white frame surely?
I agree with trail rat, we've got a side window too and have kept it all white. Brown UPVC is trying to pretend to be something it isn't and just looks 1970s. Woodgrain effect UPVC is even worse....
"Why do you think it will look awful? Its only like having a treated timber door in a painted white frame surely? "
and if you think that looks good your mistaken.
white gloss should be banned from the shelves.
that is all. HATE IT too many ornate staircases and cornices have been desicrated with that crap.
Slight hi-jack if I may.
I've got a beautiful front door, probably the orginal 1930s one ... stained oak (presumably) about 2inch think.
How do I sell it ?
@Ro5ey -
Try Gumtree / eBay?
Every now and then doors like that come up and I'm tempted. Our house has a door like that and is lovely, but its a bit old. Thankfully as its protected by a DG porch I'm keeping it.
UPVC will add value as folks like the lazy no maintainance option.
Some suggest that uPVC cheapens the look of your house. I much prefer timber myself - it only needs repainting every few years, and can be repaired if necessary.
White UPVC looks like you don't care and for me at least would devalue a house by a couple of grand as I'd want to replace it as soon as I moved in.
At a minimum I'd go composite. At least it'll look like a door and if you shop around you could get one for well under £800.
No idea what a white plastic one will come in at we didn't look at them.
i agree with ransos and speeder
but the majority of people dont even/dont want to know how to wire up a light fitting.... let alone paint a door without ****ing it up.
they want to live in hotels really ...
As someone who works in the door industry, I'd personally not go for coloured uPVC, a composite door colour is a lot more attractive in comparison. I'd agree with you about thermal efficiency and uPVC if 50% of the door is going to be glazed anyway; I'd ask whether the glazing has warm edge spacer bars and if the unit is filled with argon gas, both make a decent improvement to the thermal efficiency of the door.
Hope that helps, feel free to give me a shout (my name's Adam) at [url= http://www.doorsdoorsdoors.co.uk ]www.doorsdoorsdoors.co.uk[/url]